Venting/Job Market

KSGMaine, ASN · Feb 10, 2012

My question is why do you want to go to school to be a nurse? You are correct the job market is tough in all areas right now. Nursing school is tough, the job is tough and the job market is tough - before you take the plunge I would encourage you to really soul search and determine what it is you are really looking for in a job and a career. Have you ever considered insurance, being a corporate trainer, etc., given your education in education, there maybe other industries that could benefit from your skills. I have also seen and read where other countries are hiring away all our teachers, especially if you major was English, you could go abroad to teach English - of course depending on your situation.

leenak · Feb 10, 2012

The economy is tough all around but if you want to be a teacher, why not look into a teaching job? You might have to move but I know friends that are in teaching with no/little experience and they were still able to find jobs. It wasn't easy but with enough working at it, they got jobs.

Ryba · Feb 10, 2012

Sounds like you might be from Michigan - I'm a certified teacher, with a Masters, 10 years experience and was layed off at the end of last year. So between teaching and nursing, finding a teaching job is a lot tougher here. And because we are union, I'm more expensive than the thousands of new grads, hence no current teaching job. I say, go back to school. Conisider this "time off" an opportunity. That's what made me realize to change my mindset. I was raised get a job, stay at it forever, retire. My lay off force me to look at what other options I had and with some commitment on my families part, I'm back at school. So good luck to you, go back to school

nguyency77, CNA · Feb 10, 2012

Come to New Mexico-- we need LOTS of [good] nurses! In my state, the nursing economy is very stable. No matter what, there will be things that require an RN/LPN's judgment. We CNA can't do it all, haha.

Kmmo320 · Feb 11, 2012

Thanks guys, but no, I dont want to be a techer, which is why I have switched gears into nursing. I am sorry my post wasnt clear. I was just needing a place to vent...Ive had a lot of people just tell me not to be a nurse because there are no jobs. And I was reacting saying yeah well, the same people told me to be a teacher and there are no jobs there either.

I live in Massachusetts. I am married with kids, no way to move over seas for jobs, lol.

I wanted to go to school for nursing in the first place, but I listened to too many people who told me it was too hard, and that I wouldn't find a job. So because I listened, and not to my heart, I went for something else. I do not have a "teaching" degree. I have a BA in English and was going to continue on with a Master's degree for Special Ed. But I havent gone because I knew it wasn't what I wanted to do. I know I want to work with the physically and mentally disabled in some way, but its not in a school setting. It's more medical. So I finally got the nerve to apply for nursing school, which is what I wanted to do in the first place. And here I am, still having people tell me "there are no jobs, its a waste of time" but to that I say...its hard in every profession. Does that mean I not even try?

leenak · Feb 11, 2012

The idea isn't to follow where you might think there are jobs but rather what you want to do. If nursing is what you want, then go for it. Physical therapy may be an option as well depending on what your specific interests are in terms of healthcare.

Kmmo320 · Feb 11, 2012

I am not doing a very good job at getting my point across. I am saying that I want to be a nurse. And for the first time in my life, I am not going to let other people sway me from what I want to do. I am agreeing that the "no jobs" thing is not a good enough reason to keep me from doing it. Because its like that everywhere, for every profession. I don't want to be a teacher, regardless of how it is to find a job. I want to be a nurse, regardless of how hard it is to find a job.

leenak · Feb 11, 2012

Sorry if you misunderstood me, I mean in general you should do what you want. I know it is frustrating to hear the job market is tough but if it is what you want to do, then go for it.

kristiesin · Feb 12, 2012

It is always discouraging when people rain on our parades. I think you did a fine job of getting your point across. You indicated you were venting and that you want to be a nurse, but people tell you it is hard to get through school and it is hard to find a job. I think that in America right now, it is harder to find a job. Not impossible and not as hard as it was a year ago.

A good friend of mine told me when I decided to switch careers.. (I was laid off from corporate training. I was a director), that no matter what, next year I would still be a year older, so I could be a year older or I could be closer to my dream and a year older. No matter what, follow your dream. It is easy for everyone to tell you no, it is much harder for us to truly be supportive of one another and to tell each other... GO for IT!

Healthcare will always be a "more" stable industry than some others. People will always require taking care of when they are injured or sick.

We also will probably still be in a recessive cycle for the next few years. So what... Do what makes your heart happy and be flexible. I think those who can take the 10.00 hour jobs, smile and continue toward what they want are the ones who ultimately will come out on top. Attitude and hard work are usually the qualitites that employers most want and cannot teach. Good luck to you and I would think you could be taking a class toward Nursing school for Spring Quarter this year!